Topper over McKee's 37 Paint Coating

1953hogan

1953hogan

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I've been contemplating which coating to use on my wife's new white Ford Explorer and am doing a little research into McKee's 37 Paint Coating for a few reasons:


  • Claimed longevity is 2 years. I don't need anything longer because I'll probably want to polish again in that time frame.
  • Price is right.
  • Looks to be extremely easy to apply.

Even though the car will be coated, I still enjoy adding a topper every couple of washes to bring back the slickness and gloss and just mainly for the enjoyment of it.

My question is to those out you who have used the M37 Paint Coating. What would you recommend to top it with? I'm assuming since it is a glass coating that something like Reload would be appropriate, is that a good assumption?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I've used all kinds and combinations of waxes and sealants and pseudo coatings over the past few years. I have C quartz and EVO duo but have not used them yet and most likley never will so they will go down as wasted purchases.

After reading your post and many like it before it, my biggest question is, if a coating is really a coating then why should it need any "topper" or "refresher". My premise being the alleged longevity of any said coating it should stand on it's own for the time quoted by the manufacturer.

But if you market products that last for "years" then you potentially market yourself out of business.

The other thing I like about your post is many of us just like to apply stuff to our vehicles whether we need to or not.

I just had to get this off my chest as it's kind of an "oxymoron" for an AG'er to coat the car so we don't touch it but we like to top it, wipe on it with detail sprays (silica sprays for coatings) of all different kinds etc.

So for me it's sealants, waxes, and Polish Angel :props:

Thanks for indulging me and top away!!!
 
IME topping it with Carpro Ech20 @10:1 worked better than good.. Really brought back the tight beading that I like to see on the finish.
 
custmsprty,

Totally agree with you! All that work to get something sexy with teflon characteristics and then go off rails by topping off with something!

You mentioned Polish Angel, I remember reading something you wrote sometime back and can't remember why you like it so much. Can you elaborate or link
me to your article. I would like to read your perception.

Tom
 
TMQ said:
custmsprty,

Totally agree with you! All that work to get something sexy with teflon characteristics and then go off rails by topping off with something!

You mentioned Polish Angel, I remember reading something you wrote sometime back and can't remember why you like it so much. Can you elaborate or link
me to your article. I would like to read your perception.

Tom
Click to expand...

If I recall I don't think I washed it but a few times and maybe topped it after 6-8 months with BF Midnight Sun Spray Wax. That's my "real world" testing procedure. If you apply something after every wash and wash once a week then their is really no way to asess the longevity claims of a product IMHO.



https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/97678-polish-angel-esclate-viking-coat.html

PA Viking Coat, but be sure to visit the link for the full story:



This is just sick wetness:



This was many, many months later after the harsh Floirda summer sun and torrential rains topping Viking Coat with BFMS







Since on Autopia they only carry a limited selection you'll need to PM me to learn about the PA Combo on my GC these days. I will most likely never use anything else on it as long as I own it. This "combo" is the best I've used specifically designed for black paint.

As this is a garage queen I guess this will last indefinitely.

If I recall I got in a sun shower back in October and it was dry in minutes at 70 LOL.






 
custmsprty said:
I've used all kinds and combinations of waxes and sealants and pseudo coatings over the past few years. I have C quartz and EVO duo but have not used them yet and most likley never will so they will go down as wasted purchases.

After reading your post and many like it before it, my biggest question is, if a coating is really a coating then why should it need any "topper" or "refresher". My premise being the alleged longevity of any said coating it should stand on it's own for the time quoted by the manufacturer.

But if you market products that last for "years" then you potentially market yourself out of business.

The other thing I like about your post is many of us just like to apply stuff to our vehicles whether we need to or not.

I just had to get this off my chest as it's kind of an "oxymoron" for an AG'er to coat the car so we don't touch it but we like to top it, wipe on it with detail sprays (silica sprays for coatings) of all different kinds etc.

So for me it's sealants, waxes, and Polish Angel :props:

Thanks for indulging me and top away!!!
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you. However IME with this particular coating, the tight beading faded rather quikly and I noticed it came completely back to life after being topped with Ech2o.

But as far as what really matters most [at least to me] neither of those 2 could prevent a major layer of contaminants to bond within 3 months...

16930615b7073e6983798c4b3cd1b7e0.jpg


I fiddle around testing new products sometimes, but I'm more than content with what works for me as far as paint protection for the time being... But if I was in the market for a paint coating, I think I'd consider 1 of the upper level Gyeon paint coatings [I'm not sure if it's Mohs or the other 1] but 1 of their coatings makes a bold statement in regards to being able to protect from bonded contaminants [a statement that's pretty darn rare these days] I like when a product makes bold statements, because that means they're putting their money where their mouth is, and if it doesn't live up to their claims, then we all know what happens next...

I guess it's true sometimes, if you want top quality you gotta pay for it. Luckily I'm not desperate for that coating at the moment.
 
custmsprty said:
If I recall I don't think I washed it but a few times and maybe topped it after 6-8 months with BF Midnight Sun Spray Wax. That's my "real world" testing procedure. If you apply something after every wash and wash once a week then their is really no way to asess the longevity claims of a product IMHO.
Click to expand...
That has been my thought although it is likely I'll still develop a few swirls I'll want to polish away. It occurs to me that if I top every couple of weeks then maybe I don't need the coating, except maybe to add a little more scratch resistance.

Your work is fabulous by the way. I'm drooling.

One more thought... in reading a couple of these threads it appears that some people may be having some longevity problems with the M37, particularly on lower panels. I live in Wisconsin so that concerns me. If/when I coat maybe I'll spend a little more on Gteqniq CSL or Cquartz.
 
1953hogan said:
That has been my thought although it is likely I'll still develop a few swirls I'll want to polish away. It occurs to me that if I top every couple of weeks then maybe I don't need the coating, except maybe to add a little more scratch resistance.

Your work is fabulous by the way. I'm drooling.

One more thought... in reading a couple of these threads it appears that some people may be having some longevity problems with the M37, particularly on lower panels. I live in Wisconsin so that concerns me. If/when I coat maybe I'll spend a little more on Gteqniq CSL or Cquartz.
Click to expand...

I personally do not like any coatings that "FLASH". I just don't have the patience to deal with them or the time. I don't like "FINICKY" products.

What I love about Polish Angel, no worries, no redos and plenty of time for a water or beer break. And I've used the stuff in 100+ degree July garage heat in humid Florida. I wouldn't even go there with any coating that "flashes"
 
This is good info! Learned something tonight! Grin..
BTW---That is beautiful work on both of your cars. If photos can pick that up, I can't
even imagine what it is like in person!

I want that!!!

Tom
 
TMQ said:
This is good info! Learned something tonight! Grin..
BTW---That is beautiful work on both of your cars. If photos can pick that up, I can't
even imagine what it is like in person!

I want that!!!

Tom
Click to expand...

Thanks, and that's just with a Samsung S6.

My GC hasn't been polished in over two years, just maintianed with the PA duo, that stuff is insane, just ask Ron with the white Vette!

I've been wanting to try out the Polish Angel Combo for White on my Rogue but my back pain is chronic these days. I did that test on my daughters hood last weekend of the 3d AAT polishes and my sciatic was doubled up on me in 30-40 minutes, it sucks. I'm saving my money for a lift like Sizzle Chest / Scott has :props:
 
I would advise against topping a coating with anything that isn't a coating like product. You'll ruin/cover the hydrophobic and dust resistance properties. I use McKee's for my coatings and top only with what I call "blue juice" It's a mix of:

CarPro ECH20 at a ratio of 1:20,
CarPro Reload, add in 2-3 ounces

Viola. Use this regularly and you'll be more than pleased.

Here's a small video I made for another member showing the results of both 5 months+ after coating my wife's van.

https://youtu.be/PkYouNqzm9A
 
I love the price and ease of mckees paint coat but as eldorado2k pointed out it gets full of contamination after just a few months. While in the video below it beads great and is really glossy with no toppers the baggie test is very bad. It's lasted 8 months in the dusty desert but it needs clay from what Nick says the clay will weaken/remove it so it's gonna be coming off here soon.

https://youtu.be/6BPg84HI9Oc

Sent from my Pixel using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
1953hogan said:
... in reading a couple of these threads it appears that some people may be having some longevity problems with the M37, particularly on lower panels. I live in Wisconsin so that concerns me. If/when I coat maybe I'll spend a little more on Gteqniq CSL or Cquartz.
Click to expand...

Dunno about CSL or Cquartz (but I will by end of year) but I can tell you that WG Uber Ceramic didn't make it thru 15k miles & a NE Ohio winter on side/lower panels unscathed and from last August forward it got hit every 2 weeks with some kinda SiO2 product.

I think winter can kill many coatings in those troubled lower panel areas regardless of 'toppers'.



Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
custmsprty said:
I've used all kinds and combinations of waxes and sealants and pseudo coatings over the past few years. I have C quartz and EVO duo but have not used them yet and most likley never will so they will go down as wasted purchases.

After reading your post and many like it before it, my biggest question is, if a coating is really a coating then why should it need any "topper" or "refresher". My premise being the alleged longevity of any said coating it should stand on it's own for the time quoted by the manufacturer.

But if you market products that last for "years" then you potentially market yourself out of business.

The other thing I like about your post is many of us just like to apply stuff to our vehicles whether we need to or not.

I just had to get this off my chest as it's kind of an "oxymoron" for an AG'er to coat the car so we don't touch it but we like to top it, wipe on it with detail sprays (silica sprays for coatings) of all different kinds etc.

So for me it's sealants, waxes, and Polish Angel :props:

Thanks for indulging me and top away!!!
Click to expand...

What about paying high gloss, u shouldn't be topping waxes and sealants with it I don't think it's compatible
 
I've been running McKee's 37 Coating on two of my cars for 7 months now, and it still looks to be holding up well. I've not put any toppers on it other than the occasional spot of QD spray to get rid of water spotting after a wash. I really like the look and the performance and honestly don't see any need for a topper at this point. I have no doubt it will last a year for me.

Hearing testimony from people like custmsprty really has me thinking it might be time to step up and hit a couple cars with Gloss-Coat or Cquartz. The idea of only doing routine maintenance and washes for years is rather appealing.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I did start a thread earlier this Spring about what appeared to be the coating failure in the "spray zone" behind the wheels from road salt. However, after multiple bucket washes, the water behavior is greatly improving. Once I get a chance to lightly clay that area, I bet it should be back in line with the rest of the car. Advice from pros here and watching a couple video's has been really helpful.
 
Desertnate said:
I've been running McKee's 37 Coating on two of my cars for 7 months now, and it still looks to be holding up well. I've not put any toppers on it other than the occasional spot of QD spray to get rid of water spotting after a wash. I really like the look and the performance and honestly don't see any need for a topper at this point. I have no doubt it will last a year for me.

Hearing testimony from people like custmsprty really has me thinking it might be time to step up and hit a couple cars with Gloss-Coat or Cquartz. The idea of only doing routine maintenance and washes for years is rather appealing.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I did start a thread earlier this Spring about what appeared to be the coating failure in the "spray zone" behind the wheels from road salt. However, after multiple bucket washes, the water behavior is greatly improving. Once I get a chance to lightly clay that area, I bet it should be back in line with the rest of the car. Advice from pros here and watching a couple video's has been really helpful.
Click to expand...
So I was where you are at, and per Nick he said that claying is abrasive and removes the coating so it will need to be reapplied. This is why I'm just going to re do the whole car. I feel that for it's ease of use, the fact I can do countless cars for the price, speed of application, and shine it gives it has served its purpose

Sent from my XT1609 using Tapatalk
 
I'm not sure why so many get caught up in this conundrum about topping or not topping. Detailing is one great big experimentation and finding what works for you and what you like. If every detailer went strictly by manufacturers recommendations we would have missed out on so many methods and combinations over the years. People branching out and trying things is what makes this hobby/business so great. Look right in this thread and you see where a quality detailer, pdqgp, has come up with his own concoction that has proven great results for him and I'll probably be trying out soon myself to see if I like it.

When I got into this a decade ago I constantly changed LSPs and loved doing it, however as life, my career, kids, them playing sports, coaching, etc started to take over a tremendous amount of my free time I began to look for longevity in my LSP. I used Opticoat back in 2010 for the first time on my vehicles and every car I've had since I've put a coating on as soon as I got it home. I have Cquartz topped with EXO on my Camaro and my wife's Yukon, and have CSL topped with EXO on my daughter's Hyundai Veloster. I will do a topper of DG Aquawax on the Camaro and Veloster, and Reload on the Yukon after every wash (that takes absolutely no time now). Heck I've even started doing a monthly regimen of McKee's Hydro Blue on each car after a wash just to try and increase the longevity of the coatings. If doing a 10 minute topper after each wash provides me with 25 months of longevity vs 24 months without it, then I consider that extra month of time gained with my family and life a win. I've been at this a while and I'm of the firm belief that the toppers increase the longevity of the LSP, regardless of traditional or coating, and in this point in my life that's what I'm after.

So if you want to do it, then by all means do it. If you don't think it adds any value then by all means don't do it, but the experimentation, trial and error is what has transformed this hobby/business for the better. Some of the tricks and combinations we use today were discovered and luckily made public on great detailing forums like this one.
 
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